Kremlin announces nine countries set to join BRICS as partners in 2025
According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, nine new partner states will officially join the BRICS group on January 1. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Nine countries are set to officially join BRICS as partner states starting January 1, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who noted that the economic group remains open to like-minded partners.
The status of 'partner country' was established at the BRICS summit held in October in Kazan, Russia. This designation was introduced as an alternative to full membership, following more than 30 nations expressing interest in joining the organization. With this status, the countries will have the opportunity to participate permanently in special sessions of BRICS summits, foreign ministers’ meetings, and other high-level events. Additionally, partner states will be able to contribute to the group’s outcome documents.
During a press briefing on Monday, Ushakov highlighted the significance of the approval for the partner state status, announcing that Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Cuba, Uganda, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan will officially become BRICS partners on January 1. Furthermore, confirmation from four additional countries, also invited to become partner states, is expected soon.
BRICS originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and was expanded earlier this year to include Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
As for Saudi Arabia, the nation has paused its process of joining BRICS due to the incomplete “internal procedures” required for full membership, Ushakov reported, referencing statements from Riyadh representatives.
The Kremlin aide noted that prior to the Kazan Summit, 35 applications were received from various countries wishing to join BRICS in different capacities. He explained, “Some countries wanted to immediately receive full-scale participation, while others wanted to participate in individual events as observers.”
Currently, more than two dozen countries are expressing interest in cooperating with BRICS, including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Venezuela, Honduras, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Colombia, the Republic of Congo, Laos, Kuwait, Morocco, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Syria, Chad, Sri Lanka, Equatorial Guinea, and South Sudan.
Ushakov emphasized that the growing role of BRICS in international politics is evident, as the group continues to enhance its authority in economic and financial spheres, and in addressing climate challenges and bolstering global food and energy security.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
The status of 'partner country' was established at the BRICS summit held in October in Kazan, Russia. This designation was introduced as an alternative to full membership, following more than 30 nations expressing interest in joining the organization. With this status, the countries will have the opportunity to participate permanently in special sessions of BRICS summits, foreign ministers’ meetings, and other high-level events. Additionally, partner states will be able to contribute to the group’s outcome documents.
During a press briefing on Monday, Ushakov highlighted the significance of the approval for the partner state status, announcing that Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Cuba, Uganda, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan will officially become BRICS partners on January 1. Furthermore, confirmation from four additional countries, also invited to become partner states, is expected soon.
BRICS originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and was expanded earlier this year to include Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
As for Saudi Arabia, the nation has paused its process of joining BRICS due to the incomplete “internal procedures” required for full membership, Ushakov reported, referencing statements from Riyadh representatives.
The Kremlin aide noted that prior to the Kazan Summit, 35 applications were received from various countries wishing to join BRICS in different capacities. He explained, “Some countries wanted to immediately receive full-scale participation, while others wanted to participate in individual events as observers.”
Currently, more than two dozen countries are expressing interest in cooperating with BRICS, including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Venezuela, Honduras, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Colombia, the Republic of Congo, Laos, Kuwait, Morocco, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Syria, Chad, Sri Lanka, Equatorial Guinea, and South Sudan.
Ushakov emphasized that the growing role of BRICS in international politics is evident, as the group continues to enhance its authority in economic and financial spheres, and in addressing climate challenges and bolstering global food and energy security.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
